Electronic book

ABSTRACT

An electronic book apparatus that comprises multiple pages (122) with printed information (126), a visual signal (125) for identifying the printed information in a sequentially organized manner, a synchronized audio signal (154) for describing and further identifying the information concurrently with the visual signal, and a switch (127) for electronically controlling the generation and transmission of these signals when each particular page is opened for viewing. Each page of the electronic book includes a laminated sheet (124), on which the printed material is arranged, and an electronic backdrop (121) containing the visual signal for display through the laminated sheet. Separate intelligent electronics (160) in the spine (140) and top portion (150) of the book, coupled to the a switch, activate the illuminating circuitry and a voice synthesizer (168) that are synchronized and sequenced to produce a concurrent visual and audio enhancement of the printed matter being viewed on the page.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.07/685,278 filed by the same inventor on Apr. 15, 1991, patented, U.S.Pat. No. 5,167,508, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 07/396,129, filed by the same inventor on Aug. 21, 1989, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the general field of apparatus and methods forcombining audio and visual signals for displaying information.Specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods forenhancing the comprehension and retention of information displayed in abook by combining visual and audio messages with the presentation ofprinted material.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Comprehension of printed matter is a high-priority educational objectiveof modern society. It is known that comprehension of all printedmaterial depends on the viewer's ability to interpret visuallyperceivable information in accordance with previously acquired knowledgeassociated with that information. Accordingly, various attempts havebeen made at producing aids to enhance the process of interpretation ofsuch visually perceived information in order to improve itscomprehension and assimilation.

Among the various devices found in prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,932 toLipps (1977), U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,852 to Chatlien (1980), U.S. Pat. No.4,273,538 to Ross (1981), U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,098 to Doring (1984), U.S.Pat. No. 4,752,230 to Shimizu (1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,391 to Weiner(1988), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,246 to Jeng (1989) disclose severalapproaches utilized to provide effective highlighting of printedmaterial, either for amusement purposes or for improving thecomprehension and retention of a reader. U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,246, inparticular, teaches a sound-illustrated book that utilizes a pagesensing element that triggers an audio recording of a description of theprinted matter on the page being viewed.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,573 (1987), Montgomery et al. disclose anelectronic book apparatus with audio and visual components forelectronically generating and transmitting a combination of sound andelectronic images to identify the information displayed on an opensheet. Control circuitry is provided on the sheet to coordinate thefunctioning of the audio and visual displays according to apredetermined sequence considered appropriate to enhance understandingof the material. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,081 to Wilbur (1982)describes the use of light emitting diode (LED) components to highlightdrawings and other printed matter in greeting cards.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,824 to Kauffman (1980) discloses a bookcomprising pages including electrical circuitry and apertures with lightemitting devices in each page to illuminate areas of pictures printed onthe page. U.S. Pat. No. 3,592.098 to Zadig (1971) teaches a flexibleconductive ink which enables the sheet on which the ink is printed to befolded across the ink without breaking the ink circuit. In U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,545,217 (1925) and 1,670,254 (1928), Thurber and Gowin show theforming of conventional, non-electronic, books by folding a single sheetin accordion style. Finally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,277,318 (1942) and2,444,355 (1948) to Grant and Kniznick illustrate the making ofconventional books by folding a plurality of sheets in half and bindingthem at the folds to the spine of the book.

A review of the prior art shows that most devices developed to datemerely present an audio description or lighting of printed matterillustrated on a page. Others appear to limit the audio and/or visualenhancement to just printed words or printed images. Most importantly,though, the various kinds of apparatus used in prior art are notpractical for bound book format because of the space requirementsassociated with the use of LED's or of conventional illuminationdevices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD's), for providing therequired visual enhancement. Moreover, the approaches taught in priorart to control the functioning of both the audio and the visual displaysare specific to the requirements of each page; therefore, they are notsuitable for voluminous multipage applications because of the excessivespace requirements associated with running duplicate parallel circuitryfrom each page to a central control board through the book spine.Finally, no existing electronic book utilizes visual and audio messagesin interactive fashion with the reader to illustrate the printedmaterial.

Therefore, there still exists a need for practical apparatus whereinvisual information, presented in any character or image form on a pageof a book (hereinafter referred to generally as printed matter,material, or information), is explained, highlighted, or in any wayenhanced by sound and light displays systematically synchronized withthe information to stress its meaning and improve comprehension andretention on the part of a reader. In particular, there is a need for acompact method of manufacturing that is suitable for assembling manypages into a single bound book in an economical and practical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the primary objective of this invention is toprovide an electronic book apparatus that produces visual and audioenhancement of printed information.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an electronic bookapparatus that produces visual signals in conjunction with the displayof the printed information in the book in order to highlight and drawattention to it.

A further goal of the invention is to provide an electronic bookapparatus that also produces an audio signal, or message, in conjunctionwith the display of the printed information in the book in order todescribe and facilitate the reader's recognition and understanding ofthe material and to further highlight its presence on a page.

Another goal of the invention is to provide synchronization between theaudio and visual signals in connection with any portion of the printedinformation to which they pertain, so as to clearly focus the attentionof the viewer on the particular portion of interest and improve his orher comprehension of the material viewed.

Still another objective is the sequential delivery of the synchronizedaudio and visual messages according to a predetermined scheduleappropriately chosen for educational or entertainment purposes.

A related object of the invention is an interactive system whereby thereader of the book can chose between alternatives to best suit his orher interest, so that the reader's attention can be further stimulatedby direct involvement in the viewing progression through the material inthe book.

A further objective of the invention is the ability to apply the samegeneral concept in a variety of designs and physical embodiments to fitdifferent implementation formats, as may be desired for different kindsof printed information. To that end, the apparatus described herein canbe implemented in modular form, wherein each page of a book constitutesa modular component of the overall apparatus.

A further goal of the invention is an apparatus that is suitable forassembly in voluminous form and wherein the visual and audio display ofeach page can be controlled directly from a central control board andindependently of the other pages.

Yet another objective of this invention is the realization of the abovementioned goals in an economical and commercially viable manner. This isdone by utilizing simple components and methods of manufacture that areeither already available in the open market or can be developed atcompetitive prices.

In accordance with these and other objectives, one embodiment of thepresent invention provides an electronic book apparatus that comprisesmultiple pages with printed information, visual signal means foridentifying the printed information in a sequentially organized manner,synchronized audio signal means for describing or further identifyingthe information concurrently with the visual signal means, andelectrical or photo-sensitive means for electronically controlling thegeneration and transmission of these signals when each particular pageis opened for viewing. Each page of the electronic book includes alaminated sheet, on which the printed material is arranged, and anelectronic backdrop containing the visual signal means for displaythrough the laminated sheet. Circuitry in the spine of the book couplesthe electronic backdrop of each page, including the electrical orphoto-sensitive control means, to separate intelligent electronic meansfor activating the illuminating circuitry and a voice synthesizer thatare synchronized and sequenced to produce a concurrent visual and audioenhancement of the printed matter being viewed on the page. Theapparatus controls the presentation in a predetermined sequence deemedappropriate to enhance comprehension of the material and, if desired,provide entertainment. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, theuser is provided at each page with alternative options to repeat certainsequences or continue through the book.

Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clearfrom its description in the specifications that follow, and from thenovel features particularly pointed out in the appended claims.Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, thisinvention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in thedrawings, fully described in the detailed description of the preferredembodiment and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, suchdrawings and description disclose only one of the various ways in whichthe invention may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the general features of an embodiment ofthe present invention showing the general configuration of theelectronic book and illustrating an open spread with alphabet lettersand pictorial representations of related subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates the laminated construction of a book page exposing acircuit board layer sandwiched between a top sheet bearing visualinformation and a bottom support sheet.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic components of theintelligent circuitry of the book of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a continuous core sheet used to form theleaves of the electronic book according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the continuous core sheet of FIG. 4after assembly into book-leaf form.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the core sheet of theinvention illustrating the construction of a light emitting diodedirectly on the page of the book.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modular core sheet used to form oneleaf corresponding to two opposite pages of the electronic bookaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the modular core sheet of FIG. 7 afterassembly into a modular book leaf.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example of a circuit board layer printed onthe modular core sheet of FIG. 7 showing conductive paths through thecenter fold for connection, through the spine of the book, tointelligent electronic circuitry housed in the book cover.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fan-like spine for receiving eachmodular book leaf, as shown in FIG. 8, between flaps that containcorresponding connections to the control circuitry of the book.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionmanufactured according to the spine and modular leaf approachillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another kind of core sheet used to formadjacent modular book spreads, each corresponding to two facing pages,of the electronic book according to yet another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the modular core sheets of FIG. 12after assembly into a book leaf and two corresponding book spreads.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fan-like spine for receiving eachmodular book spread while being combined to form book leaves, as shownin FIG. 8, between flaps that contain corresponding connections to thecontrol circuitry of the book, wherein the spine is partially extractedfor illustration.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of the electrical paths used to route thecircuitry of the book of FIG. 12 through the last book-spread module tothe terminal board of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates the exact layout of the circuit board layer of thepreferred embodiment of the core sheet shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 shows the exact layout of the circuit board layer of thesingle-sheet last segment in the preferred embodiment of the invention,featuring the same set of connections of the circuit board layer of FIG.16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The heart of this invention lies in the novel method of manufacture ofan electronic book that permits the combination of visual and audiblesignal circuitry in compact format for use in voluminous publications.In one embodiment, the book consists of a continuous sheet of circuitryfolded in accordion fashion and bound at one end to form leaves andcorresponding pages. In the preferred embodiment, the circuitrycorresponding to each pair of facing pages (spread) or, in thealternative, to each book leaf (opposite pages on one sheet) constitutesa module that is made functional by connection with control electronicsin the head portion of the book through flexible printed circuitry inthe spine of the book.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like parts are designatedthroughout with like numerals and symbols, FIG. 1 illustrates thegeneral features of an embodiment of an electronic book 100 according tothe present invention. The book comprises a cover 110 for covering andbinding a multiplicity of laminated leaves 120 bound at the insidemargin 130 to form a spine 140. The cover 110 includes a head portion150 that incorporates the electronic control circuitry (intelligentelectronic circuitry) of the book (not shown in FIG. 1), a batterycompartment 152, and a speaker 154. Each page 122 of the book 100consists of a laminated assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A top sheet124 in the laminated assembly bears visual information 126 in the formof printed images, alphabetical characters or other material suitablefor affixation to a book page. A bottom or core sheet 121 bears acircuit board layer 123 attached to the face of the sheet itself andincluding light emitting diodes (LED's) 125 corresponding to eithertranslucent portions or apertures 128 in the top sheet 124 for visualaccessibility when the page 122 is assembled in its laminated form.

Although obviously not visible in the figure, the page on the back sideof FIG. 2 consists of the same structural components and also has atwo-sheet laminated configuration, with a top sheet bearing printedinformation and a bottom sheet, normally the other side of the same coresheet forming the opposite page, bearing a corresponding circuit boardlayer.

As explained in detail in the referenced copending applications and inseveral prior art patents, the circuit board layer 123 is provided withelectromechanical contact switch elements 127 that extend through thetop sheet 124 to initiate the operation of the electronic book 100 whenthe book is opened to the corresponding page. Equivalent pressure orphoto-sensitive switch elements could be used to perform the samefunction, thus activating the switch by applying pressure or by exposingit to light upon opening of the book, respectively. The switch element127 on the page electronically generates and transmits an identifyingsignal (such as an open or a closed circuit signal) through that page'scircuit board layer 123 to the separate electronic circuitry 160 storedin the head portion 150 of the book. As shown in block form in FIG. 3,this circuitry comprises a power source 162 (provided in the form of abattery stored in compartment 152 of the book) which, through the switchelements 127 in each page, energizes sequencer means 164, synchronizermeans 166, and voice synthesizer means 168 coupled to audio means 170,which normally consists of a speaker 154 (illustrated in FIG. 1). Thepower source 162 and the audio means 170 are preferably packagedinconspicuously in the head portion 150 of the book and are electricallycoupled to the electronic circuitry 160 and to the circuit board layer123 of each page through appropriate interconnecting circuitry describedbelow. The audio means 170 may consist of headphones (also not shown)for personal private listening while viewing the material contained inthe book.

In operation, using contact switch elements for example, whenever thebook 100 is opened between two adjacent pages of a spread, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the contact between the switch elements 127 onthe two adjacent pages is automatically interrupted, sending a signal tothe electronic circuitry 160 that activates its control function tobegin a sequence of visual and audible signals associated with thematerial presented on the left page of that spread. The activatingswitch elements 127 may function strictly by contact, as illustrated bythe switch elements on the opposite pages of FIG. 1, so that an opencircuit is created by separating the pages and separating adjacentcomponents that otherwise form a normally-closed switch assembly. On theother hand, each switch element 127 could consist of a spring-loaded orof a pressure sensitive switching device triggered by the opening of thebook at the corresponding page; or it could consist of a photo-electricelement responsive to the light received when the book is opened (thisembodiment, of course, would not work in the dark). As illustrated inthe preferred embodiment described below, each switch element 127 maysimply consist of a pressure switch incorporated in the circuitry ofeach page and manually operated by the viewer to activate the audio andvisual functions of that page. On the other hand, when the activation isachieved automatically by opening the book at any point, thus exposingthe content of a spread of adjacent pages, the activation of the pair ofswitch elements 127 on such adjacent pages first triggers the operationof the circuitry on the left page. The sequencer 164 and synchronizer166 cause the identification and highlighting of selected portions ofthe printed matter 126 on that page by means of corresponding LED's 125situated next to that matter; concurrently, they cause the delivery ofvoice messages for further identification and interpretation of theprinted matter through the voice synthesizer 168 and the audio means170, all in accordance with a predetermined order and interval ofpresentation programmed in the electronic circuitry 160. The layout ofthe circuit board layer 123 corresponding to the activated left pagedetermines the exact physical location on the page of the visual signalsproduced by the LED's and visible through the translucent portions orapertures 128 in the top sheet 124 of that page. Of course, theselocations may be the same or vary from page to page according to thespecific requirements for the material being displayed. In fact, thesequencer and synchronizer can be programmed through micro-chipintegrated circuitry, according to methods well known in the art ofintegrated circuitry, to perform any sequence of visual and audio signalcombinations in a manner tailored to produce maximum enhancement of thematerial presented. In addition, the programmed display may includeinteractive alternative or repetitive sequences for the viewer's choice,to be implemented by pressure switches 129 incorporated into the circuitboard layer 123 of each page. Thus, for instance, at a certain point inthe sequence of signal delivery, an audible message would inform thereader of alternative progression choices in response to specificinstructions communicated by the reader through the pressure switch 129(which, in turn, could correspond to a recognizable feature in thedisplayed printed material). For example, after a series of light andsound signals associated with the display of the printed image of a bearon the page, a message would be heard instructing the viewer to pressthe bear's nose once to repeat, twice to play a game, or not at all tocontinue to the next page. The game could consist of any light and soundcombination of signals deemed appropriate for the desired purposes andany level of interaction could be designed into the programmed sequenceby requiring appropriate responses through additional pressure switches129 similarly located to correspond to points of interest throughout thepage. These various alternatives are matters of design choicesconcerning the audio and visual content of each book. Theirimplementation is a matter of programming electronic circuitry designedfor the specific desired purpose, according to methods and apparatusthat are well known in the art of speech synthesis and sequential lightemission and that are not within the inventive scope of thisspecification. Therefore, the details of such implementation are notaddressed here.

When the logic of possibilities on the left page is exhausted, asdetermined by the specific program designed for the book, the sequencer164 automatically starts a similar series of audible and visual signalsfor the adjacent right page in conjunction with the presentation of itsprinted material. The sequence of signals for each page may be the sameor different, depending on the preprogrammed instructions, but it alwayscontains light and sound signals designed to maximize the reader'sunderstanding and retention of the printed material. At the conclusionof the sequence for the right page, the apparatus stops (unless forcedto repeat by the reader in response to an available option, as describedabove for the left page) until a new pair of switch elements 127 isactivated by the opening of the book at another page.

While audio and visual displays similar to the one described above areknown in the art, the method and apparatus of the present invention areparticularly suitable for multi-leaf compilation. The approach used hereutilizes novel methods for connecting the circuit board layer 123 ofeach page to the intelligent electronic circuitry 160, which results ina more compact design and added versatility. A novel approach is alsoutilized in placing LED's in the circuit board layer of each page in away that reduces manufacturing costs and minimizes the space betweenpages occupied by the LED's.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 for the first embodiment of the invention, acontinuous circuit board layer 186 for the entire book is printed on oneside (the top side in FIG. 4) of a continuous core sheet 180 by means offlexible conductive ink. The core sheet 180 is then folded into equalsegments in accordion fashion to form book leaves consisting of pairs ofadjacent segments, of which the inside folds 184 are bound to constitutethe book's spine 140, while the outside folds 182 constitute the outeredges of the book's pages. FIG. 5 illustrates the way the continuoussheet 180 is assembled into book-leaf form. As seen in both FIGS. 4 and5, a terminal board 188 is provided to connect the circuit board layer186, which passes through the last segment L1 of the core sheet 180, tothe intelligent electronic circuitry 160 housed in the head portion 150of the book's cover. The function of the terminal board 188 is toprovide a convenient point of connection with the multi-terminalcircuitry 160, whether by direct connection with electronic devices inthe circuitry or by connection with a master board (not shown in thefigures) containing such devices and having terminal leads forconnection with the terminal board 188. LED's 125, contact orphoto-sensitive switches 127, and pressure switches 129 are incorporatedinto the continuous circuit board layer 186 in the same manner as in theindividual page application described in FIG. 2; that is, the circuitryof each page is independently connected to the electronic circuitry 160by separate conductive paths that run all the way from the particularpage to last segment L1 through the entire portion of the core sheet inbetween. The last segment L1 is then connected to electronic circuitry160 via the terminal board 188.

Finally, each page formed by folding the continuous core 180 as anaccordion is laminated with matching printed material with translucentportions or apertures 128 corresponding to each LED in the circuit boardlayer of the book. Thus, the circuit board layer 186 is coveredthroughout the book by sheets 124 containing printed material andtranslucent portions or apertures 128 for each underlying LED.Obviously, the continuous core 180 must be made of nonconductivematerial capable of accepting flexible conductive ink, as taught in theprior art. Any material suitable for making book leaves, such as paperor thin plastic, which can be folded without breakage, is acceptable.Typically, the fold lines are provided through what is referred to inthe art of book-making as "living-hinge" technology, which involves theformation of a hinge line by scoring it or compressing it onto thematerial constituting the leaf of the book. The material used may varyfrom pure paper to pure synthetic substances, including a variety ofcomposite materials. For example, the products sold by Paper SourcesInternational under the trademark "Chromolux" and by the ChampionInternational Corporation under the trademark "Cromekote" consist ofpaper coated on both sides with a layer of synthetic material, availablein overall thicknesses from approximately 6 to 18 thousands of an inch.The product marketed by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation under thetrademark "Kimdura" consists entirely of synthetic paper, apolypropylene material, available in thicknesses ranging from about 3 to12 thousands of an inch. The materials marketed by the Spring Hill PaperCompany under the trademark " Claycoat" and by the ICI Company ofEngland under the trademark "Melinex" consist of a polyester substrate.These materials are all suitable to practice the invention and can allbe folded for long-term durability by means of living hinges.

In a second embodiment of the invention, an equivalent configuration notshown in the figures, the circuit board layer 186 is printed on the backside of the continuous core sheet 180, so that it lays entirely on theback, instead of the front, of each core segment corresponding to apage. In that case, the circuitry becomes sandwiched between pages inthe interior of each leaf and, as a result, the LED's are not directlyaccessible from the front side, which is where the top sheet withprinted material is laminated onto the core sheet. Therefore, it isnecessary to provide perforations in the core sheet corresponding toeach LED, so that it becomes visible through the core sheet and,consequently, through the top sheet carrying printed information. Sincethis configuration causes adjacent portions of the circuit board layerto be in direct contact with one another because sandwiched betweensegments of the board, it is also necessary to protect the circuit boardlayer by coating it with a layer of flexible dielectric paint, such asthe product marketed by Olin Hunt Specialty Products Inc., a subsidiaryof the Olin Corporation of Ontario, California, under the name "37AC22UV Curable Spacer" or equivalent insulating material.

The circuit elements of the sequencer 164 and synchronizer 166 are wellknown commercially available components and, therefore, are not hereindescribed in detail. For example, three 16-to-1 analog multiplexers,such as sold by the Motorola Corporation of Chicago, Ill., are perfectlysuitable to provide the sequencer and synchronizer functions required topractice the invention. Note that the sequencing and synchronous controlfunctions may be included in a single integrated microprocessor,according to techniques that are also well known and within the skillsof an artisan in the trade. Similarly, the voice synthesizer 168 may beone of several available speech synthesizers requiring the use of amicroprocessor with a memory for storing the speech code, as well as amemory for storing the control code for displaying the visual signals.In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is detailed below,the sequencer, synchronizer and synthesizer functions are provided by aTexas Instruments TSP-50C-11 speech synthesizer in combination with aSignetics CD694067 decoder/multiplexer/expansion sequencer, and a 10 MHzsynchronization crystal, which are programmed to perform the desiredfunctions as the circuitry of each page is activated according to thepackaging described herein.

Commercially available LED's, such as those used in prior art devicesthat affix LED's to a supporting page, are available in a variety ofthicknesses approximately in the 20 to 50 thousands of an inch range.For example, Instruments Design Engineering Associates, Inc. of Brea,Calif., sells an LED approximately 50 thousands of an inch (1.3 mm)thick, which is suitable to practice this invention. A much thinner, andtherefore preferable, LED is sold by Citizens Electronic Company ofJapan as Part No. CL-190YG-X, believed to be approximately 20 thousandsof an inch thick.

Another novel characteristic of this invention, suitable for embodimentin any of the configurations adopted for assembling the electronic book,lies in the method of manufacture of the LED structure within thecircuit board layer 186, whereby each LED component is formed directlyin the core sheet 180 of the book. Instead of mounting commerciallyavailable LED's into the network of the circuit, it is found thatconstruction of each LED structure 125 directly into the circuit boardlayer of each page results in significantly lower manufacturing cost andlower overall thickness of the page. Thus, as illustrated in the greatlyenlarged cross-sectional view in FIG. 6 of an LED site within a leaf ofthe core sheet 180, using techniques similar to well known methodsemployed for mass production of LED's, a semiconductor die chip 192 isdeposited directly into each LED site in the circuit board layer 186 ofthe continuous core sheet 180. A base is first prepared for each LED bylaying a small length of conductive tape 191 across each set of LEDterminals in the circuit board layer 186. The tape 191 is adhesive onboth sides and laminated on the top side with copper foil 193,appropriately scored in the middle to form two electrically separatecopper strips. This kind of conductive adhesive tape is availablecommercially in a variety of forms produced by the 3M Company of SaintPaul, Minn., such as copper-foil-backed 9703 Transfer ConductiveAdhesive. The section of tape used on each LED site is oriented so thateach copper strip covers one of the terminals in the circuit board layer186. The conductivity of tape 191 is directional only, so that a currentcan flow across but not along the plane of the tape; therefore, the twocopper strips 193 are initially electrically insulated from one another,but are connected through the tape 191 to the corresponding circuitboard layer terminals on which they lie, thus forming suitableelectrodes for integrating the semiconductor die into the circuit boardlayer. A semiconductor die chip 192 is then placed on the cathode sideand electrically connected and bonded to the anode side by a strand ofconductive epoxy resin 195 deposited on the anode side and stretched tomake contact with the die chip. In practice, this bonding operation isperformed simultaneously on multiple die chips on the tape, which isthen cut to yield individual LED components. Each component is thenaffixed with the appropriate electrical orientation to the terminals inthe LED sites of the circuit board layer and covered with a sufficientamount of non-conductive epoxy resin 196 to bond it to the core sheet180 and to the conductive ink of the circuit board layer 186. Inaddition, the resin 196 covering the site tends to acquire a curvaturethat forms a lens over the light emitting diode, thus further enhancingits effect in providing visual signals to the reader of the book. Asexplained above, if the circuit board layer 186 is printed on the backside of the core sheet 180 and each LED is thus constructed on the backside of each segment constituting a page (as illustrated in FIG. 6), acorresponding perforation 194 on the adjacent segment of core sheet(both segments forming a book leaf) is required to make the LED visiblefrom the front side of such adjacent segment. In that case, in order toproperly coordinate the functioning of the visual display, the circuitryand the LED's corresponding to each page would have to be placed on theback of the segment of core sheet corresponding to the opposite page(i.e., the back of the adjacent segment). This way, the LED can be seenthrough the perforation 194 placed on the page to which the LED pertains(i.e., the page on the adjacent segment).

The LED manufacturing industry provides standard equipment that can beused to manufacture the LED's of the invention directly on the circuitboard layer, as described above. Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. ofWillow Grove, Pa., provide several die bonders, such as the Models 6490and 6491 Semiautomatic Die Bonders, that have proven suitable for thetask. The average combined thickness of the conductive tape 191 andcopper foil 193 used in the preferred embodiment of the invention (the3M 9703 Transfer Conductive Adhesive mentioned above) is approximately1.4 thousands of an inch; the semiconductor LED die chip 192, a productmarketed by Hewlett-Packard, National Semiconductor, and othercompanies, is less than five thousands of an inch thick, depending onthe specific product used; and the conductive strand 195, formed usingLED wire bond material as available from Kulicke and Soffa Industries,is also approximately 5-10 thousands of an inch thick, depending on howit is laid. The nonconductive protective resin 196 (also available formKulicke and Soffa Industries) that is used to cover the assembly of theother parts varies in thickness as needed. Therefore, the overallthickness of an LED so constructed is approximately 10-20 thousands ofan inch, even including the arbitrary thickness of the protective lens196. This constitutes a thickness reduction with respect to moststandard LED's, which can reduce the overall thickness of each page andpermit the construction of an electronic book containing a large numberof pages.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the circuit board layer of eachpage is further simplified by a modular approach to the construction ofeach book leaf. This approach can also take different configurationsdepending on whether the circuit board layer is printed on the front orthe back side of the core sheet for each page. When printed on the frontside, as shown in FIG. 7, each leaf of the book consists of one coresheet 116 corresponding to two opposite pages on the same leaf, referredto in the figure as O and E for odd and even with reference toconventional page numbering. Each core sheet 116 bears a circuit boardlayer 112 corresponding to the specific display requirements of the twopages O and E, with the same general characteristics described above forthe continuous core sheet 180 of FIG. 4. That is, the circuitry of eachindividual page (containing the LED's 125, the switch element 127, andthe pressure switches 129 for that page) is self-contained, independentof the circuitry in any other page, and connected to the separateintelligent electronic circuitry 160 through conductive pathsoriginating in the connections 113 across the center fold 114 of themodular core sheet (which becomes a common edge between the two oppositepages after folding of the core sheet and becomes part of the spine ofthe book after assembly into book format). Thus, the circuitry of eachpage is connected to the electronic circuitry 160 in parallel to thecircuitry of each other page, and it is controlled directly by thecircuitry 160 through separate connecting terminals. By folding eachcore sheet 116 in two backwards, in the direction of arrows A1 and A2and along the center fold 114, a book leaf 116 is formed wherein theedge corresponding to the center fold 114 constitutes the inside marginof each opposite page O and E (and the common edge of the foldedmodule), and wherein each page contains the half of the circuit boardlayer 112 that pertains to its printed material, as illustrated in FIG.8. By properly positioning the connections 113, which span the fold 114of the circuit board layer 112, these connections can be used, throughcorresponding connections 223 in a specially constructed spine 221 ofthe book (shown in FIG. 10), as the conductive paths to the intelligentelectronic circuitry 160 housed in the head portion 150 of the book'scover. An example of one such circuit board layer 112 is shown in FIG.9, wherein each LED site is shown with two LED's.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the specially constructed fan-like spine 221is provided for receiving each book leaf 116 sandwiched between flaps222 that contain connections 223 configured to correspond and becomecoupled to the connections 113 of each leaf to form a conductive path tothe main brain of the book through a last segment L2 (equivalent to thelast segment L1 of the core sheet 180 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Like thecontinuous core sheet 180, the spine 221 is constructed by printing on asingle sheet, by means of flexible conductive ink, a continuous circuitboard layer 286 converging to the segment L2, which is designed forcoupling with the intelligent electronic circuitry 160 housed in thehead portion 150 of the book's cover through the terminal board 188. Thecontinuous sheet of the spine 221 is folded (except for the segment L2)into equal narrow segments or flaps 222 in accordion fashion to form thespine 221 shown in FIG. 10. A specific conductive path goes from eachconnection 223 to the last segment L2 through the accordion-folded spineand there it is routed to a common terminal board 188. Therefore, onceinserted into the spine and coupled to the connections 223 between eachpair of flaps 222, the connections 113 of each modular book leaf 116 aredirectly connected to the terminal board 188 (and therefore to theelectronic circuitry 160) through the continuous circuitry printed onthe continuous core sheet of the spine 221. Thus, all modules arecoupled to the control circuitry 160 through corresponding connections223 and each module becomes independently functional when thecorresponding switch element 127 contained in its circuit board layer112 is triggered by the opening of the book at the corresponding place.Of course, as explained above, when that happens the electroniccircuitry 160 first activates the circuitry on the left (even) page andthen that on the right (odd) page. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view ofan embodiment 200 of the invention manufactured according to the spineand modular leaf approach just described.

One of the advantages of this modular approach is that each pair ofpages O and E on the opposite sides of each leaf can be designedindependently of the rest of the book, the only constraint being in thepoints of connection 223 through the spine 221. In addition, if the samevisual display configuration is used for all pages in the book, themodular approach makes it possible to use the same core sheet (116 forexample) for the entire book, identical in all respects except for oneidentifying connection 113, laminated with different printed materialfor different pages, thus greatly decreasing the cost of printingindividual circuit board layers for each page. By comparison, theversatility of the accordion approach of the first embodiment is limitedby the requirement that all electrical paths for the entire set of pagesbe cumulatively run through the continuous core sheet to the last pagefor connection with the terminal board 188. This means that thecomplexity of each individual page is necessarily reflected inprogressively crowded circuitry toward the last page, where it allconverges for connection with the terminal board. Therefore, thecomplexity of the circuitry on each page is necessarily limited bycorresponding physical space requirements. Moreover, the accordionapproach requires that any modification to the circuit board layer 186be reflected in a manufacturing change to the entire continuous coresheet 180, instead of only one core sheet 116, with obvious cost andversatility drawbacks.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12, when themodular approach is used with the circuit board layer printed on theback side of the core sheet for each page, each spread (instead of leaf)of the book consists of one core sheet 216 corresponding to two facingpages on adjacent leaves, again referred to in the figure as E and O foreven and odd with reference to conventional page numbering. Thus, bycombining each pair of core sheet modules 216 so that the back sides ofopposite pages come together and sandwich their respective portions ofthe circuit board layer 212, a leaf 215 is formed, as illustrated inFIG. 13. Of course, perforations 227 corresponding to each LED on thesandwiched back side of each page must be provided for visibility. Asshown in the right hand page of FIG. 13, a top sheet 224 bearing printedmatter and light apertures 228 (or corresponding translucent portions)is then affixed to each page to complete the laminated assembly.

In this configuration of the modular approach, each modular core sheet216 (a spread of the book) bears a circuit board layer 212 correspondingto the specific display requirements of the corresponding pages, againwith the same general characteristics described above for the continuouscore sheet 180 of FIG. 4. By folding each core sheet 216 in two forward,in the direction of arrows A3 and A4 and along a center fold 214, asseen in FIG. 12, and by joining adjacent modules, as shown in FIG. 13,book leaves 215 are formed wherein the center folds 214 constitute theinside margins of each facing page E and O, and wherein the back of eachpage contains the half of the circuit board layer 212 that pertains tothe printed material of its opposite page. Thus, each half of thecircuit board layer printed on the back of each spread is connected tothe other half by connections 213 along the fold corresponding to theoutside edge of each center fold 214. For example, as shown in FIG. 12,the circuitry on the back of the odd page O on the left module in thefigure corresponds to the printed material on the front of the even pageE of the right module; similarly, the circuitry (not seen in the figure)on the back of the even page E on the right module necessarilycorresponds to the printed material (also not seen) on the front of theodd page O of the left module. Since this configuration causes portionsof the circuit board layers on adjacent core sheets to be in directcontact with one another because sandwiched between segments of adjacentspreads to form book leaves, it may also be necessary to protect thecircuit board layers by coating them with a layer of flexible dielectricpaint, such as the Olin Hunt "37AC22 UV Curable Spacer" productmentioned above, or equivalent insulating material.

In a manner equivalent to the method described above, by properlypositioning the connections 213 of each circuit board layer 212 tooverlap corresponding connections 223 (see FIG. 10), each core sheet 216can be plugged in modular form into a matching spine 220 (seen in FIG.14) equivalent to the spine 221 of FIG. 10. Of course, though, as shownin FIG. 14 where the spine 220 is only partially enmeshed with severalcore modules for illustration purposes, each module received betweensets of flaps consists of one spread of facing pages, rather than oneleaf of opposite pages. The spine of the book remains the point ofconnection for each page and each connection 223 in the spine is tied toa conductive path that is routed through the last segment L3 of thespine to the terminal board 188 (not seen in FIG. 14), which is in turncoupled to the intelligent electronic circuitry 160 housed in the headportion 150 of the book's cover.

As for the modular leaf approach of the third embodiment, the advantagesof this modular approach include the fact that each pair of pages E andO on facing sides of each spread can be designed independently of therest of the book, the only constraint being in the points of connectionthrough the spine. In addition, if the same circuit-board-layer layoutis used for all spreads in the book, the modular approach makes itpossible to use the same core sheet 216 for the entire book, with asingle different connection 213 in each circuit board layer foridentification purposes, laminated with different printed material fordifferent pages, thus again greatly decreasing the cost of printingindividual circuit board layers.

In yet another, fifth, embodiment of the invention, the accordion-typespine illustrated above as 220 (or 221) may be physically eliminatedfrom the structure of the book, if the connections 213 (or 113) inadjacent modules overlap one another, because the abutting connections213 (or 113) provide sufficient electrical contact, when bound together,to form the required electrical paths to the last segment of the circuit(illustrated in the figures as L3 and L2 for the two embodiments,respectively). Thus, as seen in FIG. 15, the spine assemblies 220 and221 may be functionally replaced by a single-sheet last segment L4containing electrical paths 386 that couple each connection 213 (or 113)on the last module 216 (or 116) with the terminal board 188. FIG. 15illustrates the coupling between electrical connections 213 in a modularspread 216 and corresponding connections 313 in the last segment L4,wherein the connections are shown slightly apart for clarity. Of course,every other connection 213 (or 113) in the adjacent modules becomes alsoconnected to the terminal board 188 by virtue of the contact betweenabutting connections 213 (or 113). That is, all modules become connectedin parallel to the electronic circuitry 160. Note that the single-sheetsegment L4 could also be eliminated altogether by connecting theterminal board 188, or any equivalent terminal layout used for couplingthe modules with the intelligent electronic circuitry 160, directly tothe connections 213 (or 113) in the spine of the book.

In order to improve the contact between abutting connections 213 (or113) in this fifth embodiment of the invention, it is found that the useof anisotropic conductive material may be useful in the construction ofthe book of the invention. This material, also referred to in theindustry as a z-axis conductive membrane, is characterized by itsdirectional electric conductivity across its thickness (the z axis) andby its otherwise insulating characteristics in any other direction. Itis available in tape form, such as the Scotch Brand 9703 ConductiveAdhesive Transfer Tape sold by the 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn.; or inliquid form, as the Anisotropic Heat-Seal Coating 41DJB130 sold by theOlin Hunt company of Ontario, Calif. In either form, the anisotropicconductive material is laid on the circuit board layer 212 (or 112) tocover the connections 213 (or 113), and it is sandwiched between themodules to provide electrical contact between each pair of abuttingconnections without causing electrical shorting with the adjacentcircuitry. Some of these products (e.g., the Scotch transfer tape) areplaced on the circuit board layer as tape, which is cut to cover thedesired portions of the board. Others (e.g., the Olin Hunt coating) arespread as a thin layer of paint or glue (0.5 to 1.5 mils in thickness),and are then heated to cure into a membrane with the requiredanisotropic characteristics. In any event, with or without the aid ofanisotropic conductive material, the book of the invention can be boundaccording to conventional book binding procedures, requiring an adhesive(such as one of the polyurethane glues normally used in book-binding) toform a spine holding the modular leaves or spreads together.

It has also been found that variations of the book may employthermochromic print in lieu of some of the light emitting diodes used inthe display of the invention. Thermochromic printing is a well knowntechnique and it is accomplished by screen printing a layer ofthermochromic paint or ink and then superimposing a layer of conductivematerial, such as screen printable carbon, between two conductive leadson a support foundation. When electric current is passed through theconductive material from the leads to which it is connected, the heatgenerated by the current causes the thermochromic paint to change color,normally from an unobtrusive grey to a bright color of choice. Thus,this technique is particularly suitable to supplement or replace the useof LED's for this invention. Just as detailed above and illustrated inFIG. 6 for LED's, the two layers of thermochromic paint and conductivematerial can be laid across each set of terminals in the circuit boardlayer 186 to form a thermochromic element. Screen printablethermochromic paint is available in various colors from the MurfinDivision of the Menasha Corporation of Neeha, Wisc.; and screenprintable carbon is available from Olin Hunt under the name "AdvancedThermoset Polymer Thick Film IL-1 Graphite Conductor."

Thermochromic inks are normally offered in two formats. In one formatthe ink changes color when heated above a certain temperature andreturns to its original color when cooled down. In the other format theink is transformed into an almost transparent state by heat and returnsto the original color when cooled down. The cycle can be repeated eachtime as the temperature is increased or decreased and is the same forboth color-to-color and color-to-colorless options. There are severaldifferent types of thermochromic inks (12 offered by Menasha) withthreshold temperatures ranging from -3° C. to 58° C. Similarly, originaland changed colors can be specified within a wide range of colors,including colorless among the latter, which can be used to expose aprinted design underneath the original color. Finally, thermochromicinks can be printed on most ordinary printable surfaces.

Another application that is ideal for this invention is the use ofelectro-illuminating ink, which can be laid between terminals in thecircuit board layer of the invention in the same way that has beendetailed for LED's and thermochromic print. This ink is conductive, likethe ink used to form the circuit board layer 186, but it becomesluminous when current flows through it. Therefore, it affords an easytool for illuminating the printed matter in the book with a variety ofglowing colors. Electro-illuminating ink is available in differentcolors, for example, from the Murfin Division of the MenashaCorporation.

It should be noted that the modular approach illustrated in FIGS. 12-15is suitable for using a single source of visual enhancement (whetherLED, thermochromic element, or electro-illuminating ink site) for twoopposite pages. By sandwiching the visual enhancement source between twoperforations 227 on opposite pages and connecting it to the circuitry ofboth pages, the same source becomes available for the function of thecircuit board layer for each page. A lens of the type formed with thenon-conductive epoxy resin 196 shown in FIG. 6 should be used on bothsides of the visual enhancing source to protect it from damage throughthe perforations 227. In the case of thermochromic elements, twodifferent paints can be used around a single conductive strand of carbonto produce different colors on each side. Obviously, any combination ofLED's, electro-illuminating ink, and thermochromic elements can be usedthroughout the circuit board layer of the invention without affectingany of the features described in this specification.

It should also be noted that, as indicated above, the switch elements127 that automatically initiate the visual and audio display sequencewhen the book is opened at a given page may be replaced by manuallyoperated switches, such as pressure switches 129 incorporated in thecircuit board layer 112 or 212 of the page, to be activated by a user atwill. FIG. 16 illustrates the exact layout of a circuit board layer 212(i.e., used in the modular configuration described in the fourth andfifth embodiments) that is preferred at this time. In this preferredembodiment the switch elements 127a and 127b for each page consist of aconductive pad that is designed to abut a corresponding pad in thecircuit board layer of the opposite page on the same leaf, the two padsbeing separated by a pressure sensitive dialectric medium, such as theOlin Hunt 37AC22 UV Curable Spacer product mentioned above. Thedialectric is laid in grid form between conductive surfaces. Dependingon the denseness of the grid, the conductive surfaces can be forced tocome into contact through the dialectric grid by pressing against it. Bychoosing the appropriate grid, the dialectric medium thus becomesconductive (or, more precisely, its insulating function is bypassed)when a certain level of pressure is exerted upon it, thus connecting thetwo pads and activating the switch formed by them. For the purposes ofthis invention, it is recommended that the dialectric be screened overthe printed circuit board layer in a grid that becomes conductive underapproximately 7 ounces per square inch of pressure. Thus, the twoswitches formed by the switch element pairs 127a and 127b are utilizedas pressure switches to activate the odd and even page, respectively, ofthe leaf. The pressure switches 129 for interactive sequences controlledby the viewer are also implemented by pressure switch elements 129a and129b incorporated into each half of the circuit board layer. Thus, bycombining adjacent modules in the manner shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thecircuit board layer 212 of FIG. 16 forms switches 127 and 129 sandwichedin each leaf 215 that are used to interact with the electronic controlcircuitry 160 to activate and control the progression of the variousdisplay functions programmed for each page on that leaf.

In the preferred embodiment, the LED's 125 (or, equivalently, any of theother visual signal means discussed above) are mounted on one half onlyof the circuit board layer and each LED is used for both of the oppositepages of the leaf within which it is sandwiched. Perforations ortranslucent portions 227 on both sides of the LED make it visible toboth pages. Thus, the same general layout shown in FIG. 16 is used forall modules of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the onlyvariation from module to module consisting in one different connection213 for coupling with a matching individual connection 313 in the lastsegment L4 and, therefore, with a different terminal in the intelligentelectronic circuitry 160 (so that each module is connected and can beactivated independently). Using the binding technique described for thefifth embodiment (without a fan-like spine), each of the freeconnections 213 in each module (in the drawing of FIG. 16 for example,25 connections are shown as free, i.e., not connected to the circuitboard layer 212) serves as a bridge, through abutting connections in alladjacent modules, to a corresponding connection in a module where it isused as a path connecting the circuit board layer of that particularmodule to the terminal board. Thus, all modules feature the exact sameset of connections 213, but each module uses one different connectionfor coupling with the intelligent circuitry. FIG. 17 shows the exactlayout of the last segment L4 in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, featuring the same set of connections 213 for coupling withthe modules 216 in the manner shown in FIG. 15. Multiple pressure switchelements 129 are also added to the circuitry. By covering all the switchelements 129 with the pressure-sensitive dialectric medium describedabove and by folding the segment L4 along a center fold 314, matchingpairs of switch elements 129 form manually actuated pressure switchesthat give the viewer game options to enhance the recognition of printedmaterial superimposed on each switch. For example, pressing the letter Bplaced over one switch may initiate a repetition of the audio displayused before in the book to illustrate the letter B in conjunction withthe picture of a bear, and so on.

While the present invention has been shown and described herein in whatis believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent apparatus.

I claim:
 1. An electronic book for identifying and highlighting printedinformation by visual signals in a sequentially organized manner,comprising:(a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing acircuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink andhaving electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationshipwith corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular coresheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular coresheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) amultiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit boardlayer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d)a power source; (e) sequence control means, coupled to said visualsignal means, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means tohighlight said printed information being viewed by the user according toa predetermined sequence; (f) switching means in said circuit boardlayer electrically connected to said power source and said sequencecontrol means for activating said sequence control means to highlightand describe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (g)means for binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets intomulti-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheetsis assembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so thatsaid electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship withcorresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheetscome together to form a book spine; and wherein said electricalconnections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connectionsin said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuouselectrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequencecontrol means and synchronization control means.
 2. An electronic bookfor identifying and describing printed information by audio signals in asequentially organized manner, comprising:(a) a multiplicity of modularcore sheets, each bearing a circuit board layer printed by means offlexible conductive ink and having electrical connections positioned inoverlapping relationship with corresponding electrical connections inadjacent modular core sheets; (b) printed information sheets laminatedonto said modular core sheets for communicating visual information to auser; (c) a power source; (d) voice synthesizer means containing audioinformation corresponding to said printed information; (e) audio signalmeans coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating saidaudio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsiveto a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (f) sequencecontrol means, coupled to said voice synthesizer means, for sequentiallyactivating said voice synthesizer means to identify and describe saidprinted information being viewed by the user according to apredetermined sequence; (g) switching means in said circuit board layerelectrically connected to said power source and said sequence controlmeans for activating said sequence control means to identify anddescribe the printed information being viewed by the user; and (h) meansfor binding said multiplicity of modular core sheets into multi-leafbook format; wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets isassembled into book format by joining all modular core sheets so thatsaid electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationship withcorresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular core sheetscome together to form a book spine; and wherein said electricalconnections electrically coupled to corresponding electrical connectionsin said adjacent core sheets in the book spine form continuouselectrical paths to terminals connected to said power source, sequencecontrol means and synchronization control means.
 3. An electronic bookfor identifying and highlighting printed information by visual signalsin a sequentially organized manner and for further identifying anddescribing such printed information by synchronized audio signals,comprising:(a) a multiplicity of modular core sheets, each bearing acircuit board layer printed by means of flexible conductive ink andhaving electrical connections positioned in overlapping relationshipwith corresponding electrical connections in adjacent modular coresheets; (b) printed information sheets laminated onto said modular coresheets for communicating visual information to a user; (c) amultiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said circuit boardlayer and visible to a user through said printed information sheets; (d)a power source; (e) voice synthesizer means containing audio informationcorresponding to said printed information; (f) audio signal meanscoupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audioinformation to the user, said audio signal means being responsive to adrive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) sequence controlmeans, coupled to said visual signal means and to said voice synthesizermeans, for sequentially energizing said visual signal means to highlightsaid printed information being viewed by the user and for activatingsaid voice synthesizer means to describe said printed informationaccording to a predetermined sequence; (h) synchronization controlmeans, coupled to said visual signal means, said voice synthesizer meansand said sequence control means, for synchronizing the operation of saidsequence control means so that the energizing of said visual signalmeans and the activation of said voice synthesizer means aresynchronized according to a predetermined schedule of delivery; (i)switching means in said circuit board layer electrically connected tosaid power source, said sequence control means and said synchronizationcontrol means for activating said sequence and synchronization controlmeans to highlight and describe the printed information being viewed bythe user; and (j) means for binding said multiplicity of modular coresheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein said multiplicity of modularcore sheets is assembled into book format by joining all modular coresheets so that said electrical connections positioned in overlappingrelationship with corresponding electrical connections in adjacentmodular core sheets come together to form a book spine; and wherein saidelectrical connections electrically coupled to corresponding electricalconnections in said adjacent core sheets in the book spine formcontinuous electrical paths to terminals connected to said power source,sequence control means and synchronization control means.
 4. Theelectronic book described in claim 3, wherein said multiplicity ofmodular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of book leaves assembledinto book format, each leaf comprising one modular core sheet completelyfolded backwards to form two opposite book pages separated by a commonedge at the fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on thefront side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexibleconductive ink and has electrical connections across the common edgebetween said two opposite pages, said electrical connections beingpositioned in overlapping relationship between adjacent modular coresheets.
 5. The electronic book described in claim 3, wherein saidmultiplicity of modular core sheets consists of a multiplicity of bookspreads assembled into book format, each spread comprising a modularcore sheet folded forward to form two facing book pages separated by acommon center fold; and wherein said circuit board layer is printed onthe back side of each of said modular core sheets by means of flexibleconductive ink and has electrical connections across the outside edgecorresponding to the common center fold between said two facing pages,said electrical connections being positioned in overlapping relationshipbetween adjacent modular core sheets.
 6. The electronic book describedin claim 3, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is combinedto form a single continuous core sheet folded in accordion fashion toform pairs of adjacent segments, wherein the inside folds of saidcontinuous core sheet are bound to constitute the book's spine, whilethe outside folds constitute the outer edges of the book's pages; andwherein a single continuous circuit board layer is printed on one sideof said continuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink. 7.The electronic book described in claim 6, wherein said continuouscircuit board layer is printed on the front side of said continuous coresheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
 8. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 6, wherein said continuous circuit board layer isprinted on the back side of said continuous core sheet by means offlexible conductive ink, and wherein perforations are provided in saidcore sheet matching the sites of said multiplicity of visual signalmeans to make them visible from the front side.
 9. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein each of saidmultiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into said modularcircuit board layer and visible to a user through said printedinformation sheets is selected from the group consisting of lightemitting diodes, thermochromic elements, and electro-illuminating ink.10. The electronic book described in claim 9, wherein said visual signalmeans incorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible toa user through said printed information sheets consists of lightemitting diodes that are manufactured by bonding semiconductor die chipsdirectly into said circuit board layer.
 11. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said printedinformation sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets forcommunicating visual information to a user feature apertures overlappingsaid multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visualsignal means visible to the user through said apertures.
 12. Theelectronic book described in claim 11, wherein said apertures arereplaced by translucent portions in said printed information sheetsoverlapping said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby renderingsaid visual signal means visible to the user through said translucentportions.
 13. The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or8, further comprising:a multiplicity of pressure switches incorporatedinto said circuit board layer for connection with said sequence controlmeans to provide the user with predetermined alternative progressionoptions selected by applying pressure on recognizable featurescorresponding to said pressure switches in said printed informationsheets.
 14. The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or8, further comprising:anisotropic conductive material laid on saidcircuit board layer to cover said electrical connections sandwichedbetween said modular core sheets to provide electrical contact betweeneach pair of abutting connections in said spine.
 15. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising:a fan-like spinehaving flexible conductive circuitry printed thereon for receiving saidmultiplicity of modular core sheets, each core sheet being sandwichedbetween corresponding flaps in said spine, wherein said electricalconnections in each core sheet are coupled to corresponding electricalconnections in said fan-like spine, and wherein the flexible conductivecircuitry in said fan-like spine forms continuous electrical paths tosaid power source, sequence control means and synchronization controlmeans.
 16. The electronic book described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8,wherein said power source consists of a battery.
 17. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said audio signal meanscoupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audioinformation to a user consists of a speaker.
 18. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said audio signal meanscoupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audioinformation to a user consists of headphones.
 19. The electronic bookdescribed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said switching meansfor activating said sequence control means at a page being viewed by auser consists of an electromechanical switch that extends from saidcircuit board layer through said printed information sheet laminatedonto said core sheet to initiate the operation of the electronic bookwhen it is opened at that page.
 20. The electronic book described inclaim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said switching means for activatingsaid sequence control means at a page being viewed by a user consists ofa photo-sensitive switch that extends from said circuit board layerthrough said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet toinitiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at thatpage.
 21. A method for constructing an electronic book for identifyingand highlighting printed information by visual signals in a sequentiallyorganized manner and for further identifying and describing such printedinformation by synchronized audio signals, comprising the steps of:(a)providing a multiplicity of modular core sheets; (b) printing a circuitboard layer on each of said modular core sheets by means of flexibleconductive ink, said circuit board layer having electrical connectionspositioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electricalconnections in adjacent modular core sheets; (c) laminating printedinformation sheets onto said modular core sheets for communicatingvisual information to a user; (d) incorporating a multiplicity of visualsignal means into said circuit board layer printed on each modular coresheet, wherein said visual signal means are visible to a user throughsaid printed information sheets; (e) providing a power source; (f)providing voice synthesizer means containing audio informationcorresponding to said printed information; (f) providing audio signalmeans coupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating saidaudio information to the user, said audio signal means being responsiveto a drive signal from said voice synthesizer means; (g) providingsequence control means, coupled to said visual signal means and to saidvoice synthesizer means, for sequentially energizing said visual signalmeans to highlight said printed information being viewed by the user andfor activating said voice synthesizer means to describe said printedinformation according to a predetermined sequence; (h) providingsynchronization control means, coupled to said visual signal means, saidvoice synthesizer means and said sequence control means, forsynchronizing the operation of said sequence control means so that theenergizing of said visual signal means and the activation of said voicesynthesizer means are synchronized according to a predetermined scheduleof delivery; (i) providing switching means in said circuit beard layerelectrically connected to said power source, said sequence control meansand said synchronization control means for activating said sequence andsynchronization control means to highlight and describe the printedinformation being viewed by the user; and (j) binding said multiplicityof modular core sheets into multi-leaf book format; wherein saidmultiplicity of modular core sheets is assembled into book format byjoining all modular core sheets so that said electrical connectionspositioned in overlapping relationship with corresponding electricalconnections in adjacent modular core sheets come together to form a bookspine; and wherein said electrical connections electrically coupled tocorresponding electrical connections in said adjacent core sheets in thebook spine form continuous electrical paths to said power source,sequence control means and synchronization control means.
 22. The methoddescribed in claim 21, wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheetsconsists of a multiplicity of book leaves assembled into book format,each leaf comprising one modular core sheet completely folded backwardsto form two opposite book pages separated by a common edge at the fold;and wherein said circuit board layer is printed on the front side ofeach of said modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink andhas electrical connections across the common edge between said twoopposite pages, said electrical connections being positioned inoverlapping relationship between adjacent modular core sheets.
 23. Themethod described in claim 21, wherein said multiplicity of modular coresheets consists of a multiplicity of book spreads assembled into bookformat, each spread comprising a modular core sheet folded forward toform two facing book pages separated by a common center fold; andwherein said circuit board layer is printed on the back side of each ofsaid modular core sheets by means of flexible conductive ink and haselectrical connections across the outside edge corresponding to thecommon center fold between said two facing pages, said electricalconnections being positioned in overlapping relationship betweenadjacent modular core sheets.
 24. The method described in claim 21,wherein said multiplicity of modular core sheets is combined to form asingle continuous core sheet folded in accordion fashion to form pairsof adjacent segments, wherein the inside folds of said continuous coresheet are bound to constitute the book's spine, while the outside foldsconstitute the outer edges of the book's pages; and wherein a singlecontinuous circuit board layer is printed on one side of said continuouscore sheet by means of flexible conductive ink.
 25. The method describedin claim 24, wherein said continuous circuit board layer is printed onthe front side of said continuous core sheet by means of flexibleconductive ink.
 26. The method described in claim 24, wherein saidcontinuous circuit board layer is printed on the back side of saidcontinuous core sheet by means of flexible conductive ink andwhereinperforations are provided in said core sheet matching the sites of saidmultiplicity of visual signal means to make them visible from the frontside.
 27. The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, whereineach of said multiplicity of visual signal means incorporated into saidmodular circuit board layer and visible to a user through said printedinformation sheets is selected from the group consisting of lightemitting diodes, thermochromic elements, and electro-illuminating ink.28. The method described in claim 27, wherein said visual signal meansincorporated into said modular circuit board layer and visible to a userthrough said printed information sheets consists of light emittingdiodes that are manufactured by bonding semiconductor die chips directlyinto said circuit board layer.
 29. The method described in claim 21, 22,23, 25 or 26, further comprising the step of providing apertures in saidprinted information sheets laminated onto said modular core sheets forcommunicating visual information to a user, wherein said aperturesoverlap said multiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering saidvisual signal means visible to the user through said apertures.
 30. Themethod described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprising thestep of providing translucent portions in said printed informationsheets laminated onto said modular core sheets for communicating visualinformation to a user, wherein said translucent portions overlap saidmultiplicity of visual signal means, thereby rendering said visualsignal means visible to the user through said translucent portions. 31.The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, further comprisingthe step of providing a multiplicity of pressure switches incorporatedinto said circuit board layer for connection with said sequence controlmeans to provide the user with predetermined alternative progressionoptions selected by applying pressure on recognizable featurescorresponding to said pressure switches in said printed informationsheets.
 32. The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, furthercomprising the steps of applying anisotropic conductive material on saidcircuit board layer to cover said electrical connections, andsandwiching said anisotropic conductive material between said modularcore sheets to provide electrical contact between each pair of abuttingconnections in said spine.
 33. The method described in claim 21, 22, or23, further comprising the steps of providing a fan-like spine havingflexible conductive circuitry printed thereon for receiving saidmultiplicity of modular core sheets, and of sandwiching each core sheetbetween corresponding flaps in said spine, whereby said electricalconnections in each core sheet become coupled to correspondingelectrical connections in said fan-like spine, and whereby the flexibleconductive circuitry in said fan-like spine forms continuous electricalpaths to said power source, sequence control means and synchronizationcontrol means.
 34. The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26,wherein said power source consists of a battery.
 35. The methoddescribed in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said audio signal meanscoupled to said voice synthesizer means for communicating said audioinformation to a user consists of a speaker.
 36. The method described inclaim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, wherein said audio signal means coupled tosaid voice synthesizer means for communicating said audio information toa user consists of headphones.
 37. The method described in claim 21, 22,23, 25 or 26, wherein said switching means for activating said sequencecontrol means at a page being viewed by a user consists of anelectromechanical switch that extends from said circuit board layerthrough said printed information sheet laminated onto said core sheet toinitiate the operation of the electronic book when it is opened at thatpage.
 38. The method described in claim 21, 22, 23, 25 or 26, whereinsaid switching means for activating said sequence control means at apage being viewed by a user consists of a photo-sensitive switch thatextends from said circuit board layer through said printed informationsheet laminated onto said core sheet to initiate the operation of theelectronic book when it is opened at that page.